Listen to Your Dentist When They Recommend Wisdom Teeth Extraction

If you have a newborn, you're probably not thinking about orthodontic care or braces. After all, you might not think that you need to worry about crooked teeth before your baby has any teeth at all. However, that's not exactly true. In fact, now's the perfect time to start thinking about your baby's teeth, and how to ensure that they come in straight. You might not realize this, but some of the things you do now will help protect your baby against future orthodontic problems. Here are some tips to help your baby develop straight, healthy teeth:

Start Dental Care Early

You might not realize this, but one of the best ways to help your baby develop straight teeth is to start dental care early. The initial dental appointment should be shortly after your baby cuts their first tooth. During the dental appointment, your dentist will take an initial X-ray to determine the placement of the tooth buds before they break the surface. This initial X-Ray will also give the dentist the opportunity to see how to permanent teeth are developing, which will provide an early glimpse into the potential need for future orthodontic care. Once your baby has had their initial dental visit, don't forget to continue with semi-annual exams to ensure healthy development of your baby's teeth.

Close the Gaps

If you're like most parents, you're looking forward to that first lost tooth. That's the moment when you'll get to play tooth fairy, and you'll get to take pictures of those cute toothless smiles. While those early gaps may be cute, they're not necessarily good for the development of future permanent teeth. In fact, those gaps can cause permanent teeth to grow in crooked, or even too closely spaced together. To allow permanent teeth to come in straight, you should talk to your dentist about dental appliances that will close the gaps as soon as your baby reaches early childhood and begins losing their baby teeth.

Schedule a Pre-Orthodontic Exam

Once your baby reaches early childhood and begins losing their baby teeth, it will be time to schedule an appointment with an orthodontic. This early exam will allow the orthodontist the opportunity to identify future problems that your child may experience as their permanent teeth come in. In some cases, your orthodontist will recommend early orthodontic treatment. Be sure to continue with orthodontic treatment to help your baby develop healthy, straight teeth.

Contact a company like Montano & Cardall Orthodontic Specialists for more information and assistance.